Ray Hargis

Ray “Kelly” Hargis was born in San Angelo, Texas in 1933 to Ray C. Hargis and Willie B. “Bill” Hargis.  He passed from this life on November 9, 2020. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, John Calvin and Billy Wood Hargis.  He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Martha, son, Mark and daughter-in-law, Toni, three grandchildren, Cydney, Aidan and Calvin and a host of nephews and nieces.

Kelly was raised in far west Texas where his family was in the ranching business.  He graduated from Van Horn Texas High School and then went on to college at Texas Tech University for two years before going into the Army.  He spent two years in the Army which included a tour of duty in Korea.  After the Army, he went back to Texas Tech and graduated with a BS degree in Agriculture.  While at Texas Tech he met Martha Bowen and they were married in 1958.  Kelly and Martha moved to Little Rock in 1958 where he went to work for the Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation.

Kelly worked for Farm Bureau for forty years.  He spent two years as a farm safety specialist, twenty three years as a district field man and fifteen years as director of field services.  Following his retirement Kelly became very active in the Arkansas League of Artists.  His oil paintings have won many awards.

Kelly was a lifelong Methodist and a longtime member of St. James United Methodist Church .  He and Martha participated in numerous committees and other activities of the church.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, November 17 at 11:00 a.m., preceded by visitation beginning at 10:00, at Smith Little Rock Funeral Home, followed by interment at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock.  Memorials may be made to St. James United Methodist Church, Arkansas Children’s Hospital , Romeo Short Foundation of the Arkansas Farm Bureau, the Arkansas League of Artists , or one’s favorite charity.

Arrangements by Smith Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., Little Rock, AR 72205, (501)224-2200.  Kelly’s online guestbook may be signed at www.smithfamilycares.com.